Terrible GPA in chemical engineering

Student Lounge College Life
1

Hey,

So I have just gotten my grades back for this semester, (2 F, 2 D, 1 B+) and I could not be more upset right now. I have just started my actual program this semester, after completing freshman year last year, and I hate my program. I decided over the course of the summer holidays that I wanted to switch out of chemical engineering but my advisor told me it was too late to do so and I was stuck taking chemical engineering courses. I struggled a lot with mental health in the past, and more than ever this semester, and found it very hard to study. My current GPA is a 2.21. I wanted to transfer into compsci, but right now I’m scared I won’t be able to with such a low GPA, and I don’t want to continue taking chem eng courses next semester. I have already completed the prerequisites for computer science, and in the grand scheme of things, I only wasted one semester, so that’s not too bad.

My question is, was there anyone else in a somewhat similar situation, and what did you do? And would one bad semester affect any chances I might have at graduate school, if I do well in all other semesters?

Thank you all! Happy holidays!

2

Are you sure you understood your advisor? Maybe he meant that it is too late to switch to computer science. Maybe CS only has limited slots. Maybe CS has a GPA requirement to apply.

I find it hard to believe that an advisor would suggest that you continue in a major where you are failing. If that is the case, you need to find a different advisor.

3

If you had documented mental health issues then it might be possible to do a retroactive medical withdrawal for last semester. Did you go to your school’s counseling center for help? If so, you will have a stronger case. You should go to your counseling center to discuss your heath issues and your options. If a medical withdrawal is possible, make sure you understand ALL the ramifications and what actions are required to return to school. Do not assume that medical withdrawal for mental health reason is treated as the same as a withdrawal for physical health reasons. Often the rules and conditions can be VERY different.